Visa has officially named Anne Kinuthia-Otieno as its new Vice President and Head of East Africa. Starting August 4, 2026, she will spearhead the company’s operations across seven regional markets. Her core mandate is to accelerate the adoption of digital payments, deepen relationships with local clients and partners, and push the envelope on financial inclusion throughout the region.
Operating out of Nairobi, Anne brings a formidable resume to the table. Most recently, she served as the Managing Director of Airtel Money Kenya, where she was credited with steering the company through a period of substantial growth and market footprint expansion. Her professional background also includes high-level leadership positions at Absa and Barclays Bank, where she mastered retail and SME banking, product innovation, and risk management strategies across the continent.
Michael Berner, who serves as Visa’s Senior Vice President and Regional Managing Director for Southern and Eastern Africa, expressed confidence in the new appointment. He noted that Anne’s deep regional expertise and proven commitment to financial inclusion will be vital as Visa works alongside governments and private partners to widen access to the digital economy.
With over two decades of experience in the banking and telecommunications sectors, Anne has built a reputation for driving business results and fostering strategic growth within the payment ecosystem. Her industry contributions have not gone unnoticed; she has received prestigious recognition, including the Moran of the Burning Spear, which was awarded to her by the President of the Republic of Kenya.
For her part, the incoming head expressed enthusiasm about the state of the regional market. She highlighted East Africa as a global leader in payment innovation and noted that she is eager to collaborate with the regional teams to cultivate the next wave of commercial growth and financial empowerment.
